It’s going to be a Marvellous day at Epsom

Marvellous looks to hold outstanding claims of providing trainer Aidan O’Brien with his fifth winner of the Investec Oaks at Epsom today (4.00).

The Ballydoyle handler was last succesful with Was in 2012, and Marvellous has been backed as if defeat is out of the question since winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas in impressive fashion.
The daughter of Galileo beat Lightning Thunder by three lengths in the Group 1 mile contest at the Curragh on soft ground, and the form looks solid as the runner-up had previously just been touched off by Miss France in the English equivalent.

It was also just Marvellous’s third start, and there was plenty to like about the manner of the victory.

After dwelling slightly at the start and being held-up at the rear by Ryan Moore, Marvellous made good headway two from home an quickened to lead inside the final furlong to win going away at the line.

The extra half mile today should be well within the filly’s compass judge on the way she finished of the race, and the drying ground also looks sure to suit.

Marvellous is also officially rated 6lb an upwards clear of her rivals, and with Group 1 winning form in the book and Joseph O’Brien in the saddle looks sure to take all the beating.

The unbeaten Taghrooda, who is bidding to provide trainer John Gosden with his first winner in the race, rates the main danger.

The daughter of Sea The Stars is unbeaten in two starts and headed the betting for the contest prior to Marvellous’s win in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Taghrooda owed that position down to a devastating display in the 1m 2f Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket.

After racing keenly on the heels of the leaders, Taghrooda was asked to make her move two from home by Paul Hanagan and after leading at the furlong marker showed a smart turn of foot to shoot clear in the dip and win the Listed contest by six lengths.

It was a breathtaking performance which earned her a Timform rating of 114p, making her the best Pretty Polly winner since the brilliant Ouija Board in 2004.

The form of the race has taken a few knocks, but Taghrooda looks an exciting propsect who will relish the step up to 1m 4f.